Technology & Treatment

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Technology & Treatments

At Complete Feet Orthotics and Podiatry, we ensure we are kept up to date on the latest research and technologies & treatments available, ensuring we can provide the best possible treatment to our patients. Some of the key technology & treatmnets we use at our clinics include:

Paromed Orthotics

Using cutting-edge German technology we are able to create accurate orthotic devices matching the specific contours of your foot.

This system uses computer-assisted design and manufacture to ensure the highest quality of devices, eliminating the opportunity for error from manual manipulation and casting.

Through this process our Podiatrists gain the most control over the prescription process. We do not simply tick boxes and send a form away to a lab to complete.

Each pair of Orthotics are fully custom made and materials chosen to match and manage your specific pathology.

Parotech

Parotech is a cutting edge in-shoe pressure measurement system.

Utilising gyrometers, inclinometers, and pressure sensors this German engineered system is able to analyse the forces placed through the body. This can be done during any normal activity (Except in the wet for those swimmers out there).

Using this data our expert Podiatrists are able to measure the forces going through the foot and body during activity, enabling the diagnosis and treatment of your injuries and conditions using the latest scientific and evidence based treatments.

Low Level Laser

There are many applications for Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) depending on the specific combination of wavelength, time, and intensity that the treatment is delivered at. This is chosen by your Podiatrist to target the tissue causing your problems.

Light energy is absorbed into the painful tissue and triggers biological changes to provide topical heating for the temporary increase in local blood circulation; relief of minor muscle and joint aches and stiffness; relaxation of muscles and relief of spasms; and temporary relief of minor pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.

Hydrodilation

Hydrodilation is an interventional injection therapy that our Podiatrists can offer to aid the treatment of many different conditions.

Hydrodilation works through Dilation (Stretching/Widening) of the injection site, this is usually done into a joint space, or the space between the metatarsals of the foot. This widening of the space allows for more movement and a disruption of adhesions (Sticky tissue). This then allows for greater and freed movement and leads to a reduction in pain.

This procedure is done in the clinic using local anaesthetic to numb the area and ensure minimal pain. It is very safe and the risk of side effects are low.

After a comprehensive examination your Podiatrist will be able to advise if this is suitable for you.

Neuromuscular Needling ‘Dry Needling’

Dry Needling uses the same needles as Accupuncture. However the locations and depth the needle is inserted changes depending on the target structure.

After identifying the problem our Podiatrists may suggest this treatment to help manage your symptoms as part of a comprehensive treatment protocol.

The technique of releasing myofascial triggers with fine needles relieves the pain caused by musculoskeletal dysfunction through relaxing muscle trigger points, tight bands (“knots”) that develop within a muscle that can occur in cases of both acute and chronic pain.

This technique allows for immediate reduction in painful symptoms post treatment.

Foot Mobilisation & Manipulation

Foot Mobilisation and Manipulation places forces through the bones on either side of a joint in order to move the joint through its range of motion. The amount of force and direction it is applied in is varied according to your pathology and the treatment aim.

After identifying the problem our Podiatrists may suggest this treatment to help manage your symptoms as part of a comprehensive treatment protocol.

When you injure yourself often the tissue and fascia become ‘sticky’ from the injury or lack of movement of the area. This can lead to the tissue, whether it be: bones, ligaments, or muscle fibres, to ‘stick together’. This is called Adhesions, when adhesions form they disrupt the natural movement of the tissue and cause altered biomechanics (Movement).

We use mobilisation and manipulation techniques to target stiff joints, free up movement and allow for optimal function. This will help you get back on your feet quicker.

Foot mobilisation can be useful after surgery or in people who suffer with ‘tight’ or restricted joints, soft tissue disorders, or athletes.

Doppler Ultrasound

Doppler Ultrasound is an important diagnostic tool used by our Podiatrists to help to screen and detect changes to your vascular status. This could be things from hardening of your arteries, narrowing of the arteries, or other irregularities.

When used for this purpose ultrasound assesses the elasticity and integrity of the blood vessels in the lower (peripheral) extremities. The system uses high frequency sound to develop a clear assessment of the vascular status of the lower limbs, and provides both the patient and the patients’ medical practitioners with a detailed report and graphs that can be used in comparison at the 6-12 month reviews.

This is offered as part of the treatment for the Enhanced Primary Care patients that have been referred by their GP. All diabetics are advised to utilise the Doppler Ultrasound every 12 months (minimum), more regularly if you are at High Risk or advised by your GP.

We deliver all results of a full Neurovascular Screening (for Diabetics and people suffering with Peripheral Vascular Disease or Neurological Disease) to your relevant medical support staff such as the GP, Medical Specialist (i.e. Endocrinologist, Rheumatologist, Surgeon etc) or allied health Practitioner. This allows us to work as a team to deliver the very best in healthcare.

Foot Strengthening

Your feet have more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments. As we grow, these structures develop to enable the movements that we put our feet and lower limb through on a daily basis. Our muscles, tendons and ligaments become bigger and stronger the more we use them. However the opposite is just as true, if we don’t use it we lose it.

In our modern society our feet and legs have potentially damaging forces placed upon them. Because of this we often see feet that have muscle imbalances, or ‘weak feet’. Where muscles are unable to do their work properly, this can put extra strain on your bones, tendons, and ligaments when you are moving about.

This can happen for a variety of reasons including:

– Prolonged periods of sitting while at work

– Footwear

– Activity level – Bang and bust type activities  (Weekend warrior types we are talking about you)

– Unnatural surfaces (i.e. Concrete, tiles, and other man made surfaces)

Because of these changes sometimes you need to work on the strength of the little muscles within your feet to aid your foot function as best as possible and help you find your feet. After assessing and finding the pathology (Problem) with your feet our trained Podiatrists will design a custom treatment plan for you that may include some foot strengthening work.

Steroid Injections

When a structure of the body is injured there is an inflammatory response to that injury. This is a natural part of the bodies healing process, that while necessary, can often become a problem for a variety of reasons including:

  • Not resting/recovering for a sufficient period of time to allow for the structure to heal.
  • Disease process – Some medical conditions encourage or promote inflammation which can lead to a prolonged or self sustaining inflammatory response.
  • Level of activity – The amount of force applied through a structure and the time it takes for that tissue to adapt and get stronger is about 4-6 weeks in most cases. Most people train the same muscle group, or limb multiple times in that period which can lead to a compounding cascade of inflammation.
  • Diet – Certain people have problems digesting various foods which can lead to inflammation.

In response to this various conditions can occur ranging from Plantar Fasciitis ( Heel pain or Arch pain ) to Achilles Tendinosis ( Heel pain or Calf pain ) and many others. Often the main underlying problem common to all of these conditions is the inflammation cycle. Steroids work to interrupt the inflammation cycle. These work by inhibiting special proteins made by the body that are essential in various pathways that lead to inflammation.

Using Steroids we are able to interrupt the inflammation process and often rid you of your pain. However steroids are like a band-aid; they help cover the problem up and make it feel better, but they don’t fix the original problem. The same analogy holds true for many of the pathologies (Problems) that we use steroids for. Your Podiatrist will be able to advise you on whether a steroid is appropriate to help manage your pain, and what other treatments are required to ensure that you find your feet sooner.

Different treatments used at Complete Feet Orthotics & Podiatry

At Complete Feet Orthotics & Podiatry we strive to provide the very best in Podiatry care to everybody. Utilising the latest in technology and treatment protocols and striving to provide a educational, relaxed and fun learning environment for our Patients.

 

Check out some of the conditions we treat to your left. Or go to our Pain Locator to find out about your pain.

Show me all the conditions we treat

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